The Peregrine Falcon’s range in North America is complicated with a general pattern of wintering in the Southeastern United States and Mexico, summering in Northern Canada, and migrating throughout the rest of the continent. This species has interesting facial markings that some people refer to as “sideburns” but is essentially dark coloration coming down below the eye onto the cheeks of the bird. They have a light underside with dark barring and noticeable bright yellow legs. Peregrine Falcons are iconic birds with a dark back, wings, head, and neck. Peregrine Falcon (Betsy Matsubara Photo – CC by 2.0) Identification It seems that even though they aren’t necessarily supposed to winter in the northern U.S. Each year I typically find one by chance while out birding. Personal Experience: It seems like if I ever go out intentionally trying to find Merlins there aren’t any around. Sometimes the easiest way to see them is in flight when they will be moving at high speeds. They can be found in wooded areas as well as in open areas where they will be surveying for food. Merlins can be tricky to find as encountering one typically seems like a matter of luck. In addition to birds, they also eat insects and rodents. Merlins primarily eat small birds such as waxwings, sparrows, and even shorebirds. Some individuals stay all winter in Northern states as well. There is an area from the Northwestern part of the United States to the Southwestern part of Alaska where Merlins live year round. In spring they migrate north ending up in only the most Northern parts of the U.S. Merlins winter in Northern South America, Central America, Mexico, the Southeastern United States, and most of the Western United States. Most of the time they will have a white eye brow stripe. Merlins can differ in color based on region but always maintain a somewhat similar appearance. They have a blueish gray to black back, wings, and head, and a buffy to brown streaked underside. Merlins are very small members of the falcon family looking similar in size to a Mourning Dove. Merlin (Bill Thompson photo) Identification Other places Kestrels can be found are urban parks, pastures, and farm fields. They can be seen on telephone poles and wires in addition to perched on dead trees and other structures in areas with few trees. Where to Find this BirdĪmerican Kestrels are a common sight along roadsides and in open fields. In terms of the insects they eat, some of the most commonly consumed are grasshoppers, dragonflies, and cicadas. Diet and Foraging HabitsĪmerican Kestrels eat small creatures including insects, reptiles, amphibians, birds, and rodents. Throughout much of the United States, American Kestrels can be found year round. In North America, Kestrels are migratory and reside in Mexico in winter, then move into Canada during the breeding season. RangeĪmerican Kestrels live in both South America and North America. Females are lighter overall with rusty orange barring on their wings, back, and tail. They have blue on their wings and the top of their head as well as black markings near their eye. Males have a rusty colored back as well as a lighter rusty colored underside. The American Kestrel is a small and colorful bird.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |